DRIVERS who flout speed limits, use mobile phones or don’t wear seatbelts will be targeted by Police Scotland this week.
A campaign to promote safer driving will run until Sunday. A similar initiative in February caught 423 speeding drivers and a further 1164 offences were detected by safety camera units.
Officers will be looking out for drivers using mobile phones or other devices, as research shows that distracted drivers are four times more likely to crash, and reaction times slow by half compared to alert and focused drivers.
Chief Inspector Mark Patterson of the Road Policing Division said: “Our latest campaign will focus on educating motorists through enforcement. That most likely means a monetary fine and points on the driver’s licence.
“For probationary drivers the risks are even greater – one mobile phone/device offence will mean a hefty fine, six penalty points and disqualification from driving until a further driving test is passed.
“With the modern communication and warning systems now present in most motor vehicles, there is simply no excuse for heedlessly exceeding speed limits, using a hand-held device or not buckling up and telling your passengers to do likewise.”
“Since April 1, a total of 15 people have died in road traffic collisions in Scotland. The heartbreak and lifelong grief these untimely deaths cause is preventable, not inevitable.
“We will stop drivers who are behaving selfishly and irresponsibly, and enforce the road traffic laws with the appropriate penalties.”
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